Game set including projectiles with internal distance measuring means

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a game set for use in an object throwing game in which projectiles are rolled, tossed or otherwise moved towards a target object. Each projectile includes a distance measuring means disposed within the projectile that can send and receive signals from a control device. The distance measuring system including the measuring means and the control devices allow for an individual or individuals playing the game to measure in a highly accurate manner the positioning of the projectiles with regard to the target object and with regard to one another in order to determine the exact locations of the projectiles, and which projectile or projectiles are positioned closer to the target object than the remaining projectiles. All information regarding the distance between the projectiles and the target object can be received and displayed on the control device for easy administration of the game.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from Provisional U.S. PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/685,272, filed May 27, 2005, the entirety ofwhich is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to games including a target towardswhich projectiles are rolled, tossed, thrown, or otherwise moved towardsa target by players of the game, and more specifically to a game setused to play a particular game in which the projectiles include meansfor determining relative distances between both the target and otherprojectiles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many different types of games involving the rolling, throwing or othermovement of projectiles, such as balls, towards a target have beendeveloped for amusement purposes. The winner of these games is oftendetermined by measuring the distances between the resting position ofthe projectile moved towards the target and the target itself, in orderto determine how close the projectile has come to the target. In priorart games of this type, distance was measured by approximating varyingdistances utilizing the individual game player's or official's eyes, orby more accurately measuring the distance utilizing certain measuringdevices, including tape measurers or other instruments having theability to measure length.

However, in certain cases where it is difficult to visually determinethe resting place of the projectile due to various circumstancesresulting from game play, or where two or more projectiles have come torest at locations approximately equidistant from the target, it is oftendifficult to accurately determine the actual distance of the projectileto the target.

As a result, it is desirable to develop projectiles for a game set thatcan be used to play a game in which the projectiles are provided withinternal means capable of measuring the distance between the respectiveprojectiles and the target, as well as potentially between the multipleprojectiles, when applicable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a primary aspect of the present invention, a game set isprovided in which the game set includes a target, e.g., an object orline, positioned on the field of play and a number of projectiles, suchas balls that are to be rolled, tossed, thrown or otherwise movedtowards the target by the game participants in order to get theprojectiles as close as possible to the target. Each projectile includesan internal distance measuring means capable of sending and receivingsignals to a separate measuring means disposed within the target objectin order to accurately determine the position or distance between theprojectile and the target. The measuring means can also compare thisdistance with the distances of other projectiles from the target inorder to specifically and accurately determine the projectile orprojectiles which are closest to the target, and/or the relativeposition of the projectiles with respect to the target. The measuringmeans disposed within the projectile(s) allow for the determination ofthe distance from the projectile to the target with a level of accuracythat is greater than that obtainable using any prior art system.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the projectile(s)includes the distance measuring means disposed within the projectile(s)in a manner in which allows the projectile to easily be utilized in theplay of the game, while also preventing the measuring means from beingdamaged while the projectile is in use.

Numerous other aspects, features and advantages of the present inventionwill be made apparent from the following detailed description takentogether with the drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate the best mode currently contemplated inpracticing the present invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the game set including the distancemeasuring means disposed within the various projectiles utilized in thegame of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of the game set of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a third embodiment of the game set of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the drawing figure in which like reference numeralsdesignate like parts throughout the disclosure. A game set is indicatedgenerally at 10 in FIG. 1. The game set 10 can include any number ortype of target objects 12 and projectiles 14 a, 14 b, 16 a and 16 b thatare used to play a particular game in which one or more targets and oneor more projectiles to be moved toward the target are used. The targetobject 12 can take the form of any suitable target used in theparticular game, including a flag, a ball, a post, a basket or a line orzone on a playing surface, among others. The projectiles 14 a-16 b canalso take any form to be used for the particular game, such as a ball ofany sort, a bag, a horseshoe, a curling stone or an arrow, among others.

In a first embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1, the game set 10includes a target object 12, a first set of projectiles 14 a-14 b, asecond set of projectiles 16 a-16 b, such as for use in playing bocce orpetanque, and a pair of hand-held devices 18 and 20. Each of the targetobject 12, first set of projectiles 14 a-14 b, and second set ofprojectiles 16 a-16 b includes a distance measuring means 22 positionedwithin the respective object 12 and projectiles 14 a-16 b.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, each measuring means 22 is positionedwithin the center of each object 12 and projectile 14 a-16 b to minimizeany damage from being done to the measuring means 22 during the use ofthe object 12 or projectile 14 a-16 b. The measuring means 22 can bepositioned within the object 12 and the projectiles 14 a-16 b in anysuitable manner, such as by molding or otherwise forming the object 12and projectiles 14 a-16 b around the measuring means 22, or by initiallyforming the object 12 and projectiles 14 a-16 b to include a channel oropening (not shown) therein that can receive and retain the measuringmeans 22. Optionally, the object 12 and the projectiles 14 a-16 b caninclude a type of shock-absorbing structure or material (not shown)within the object 12 and/or projectiles 14 a-16 b and within which themeasuring means 22 is positioned that provides additional protection tothe measuring means 22 from shock and other vibrations transmittedthrough the object 12 or projectiles 14 a-16 b during gameplay.

The measuring means 22 can be constructed to have any desiredconfiguration that provides the distance measuring functions for themeans 22, but preferably includes a receiver 24 and a transmitter 26operably connected to one another and capable of receiving signalsgenerated from the hand-held devices 18 and 20, as well as from othermeasuring means 22, which all form a distance measuring system 200 forthe game set 10, and to transmit a return signal to the hand-helddevices 18 and 20. The measuring means 22 preferably takes the form of acomputer-like chip having a size easily containable within therespective object 12 and projectiles 14 a-16 b. Additionally, themeasuring means 22 disposed within each object 12 and projectile 14 a-16b includes a type of power source 23 operably connected to the receiver24 and transmitter 26 to allow operation of the measuring means 22. Thepower source 23 can take any suitable form, such as a battery disposedwithin the object 12 and the projectiles 14 a-16 b with the measuringmeans 22 that can also be rechargeable by removing the battery from theobject 12 or projectile 14 a-16 b or connecting the battery to aseparate power supply using a plug. Also, the power source 23 for themeasuring means 22 can be one that utilizes the motion of the object 12or the projectiles 14 a-16 b to create the power for the operation ofthe measuring means 22.

The object 12 and the projectiles 14 a-14 b, 16 a-16 b themselves arepreferably generally spherical in shape for this embodiment, but canhave other suitable shapes as well. In addition, the target object 12and projectiles 14 a-14 b, 16 a-16 b are formed of any suitable anddurable material, such that they can be utilized repeatedly to play anumber of games utilizing the set 10. Preferably, the target 12, andprojectiles 14 a-14 b, and 16 a-16 b are formed of a lightweight andrigid material, such as a plastic material, that allows the target 12and projectiles 14 a-14 b, 16 a-16 b to be easily utilized andtransported when not in use.

The devices 18 and 20 also include a receiver 24 and a transmitter 26 toallow the devices 18 and 20 to receive and transmit signals between theobject 12, the projectiles 14 a-16 b, and each other. The devices 18 and20 also include a control unit 28 that can preferably be utilized toprocess the signals received by the devices 18 and 20 to measure thedistance between the object and one or more of the projectiles 14 a-16 bbased on one or more parameters of the signals generated by themeasuring means 22, such as the time required for a signal to be sentand received between the target object 12 and a projectile 14-16 b.

In addition to the receiver 24, transmitter 26 and the control unit 28,the hand-held devices 18 and 20 also include a number of switches 30capable of switching on power to the devices 18 and 20 and operating thevarious features of the devices 18 and 20 including, but not limited to,sending and receiving signals from the devices 18 and 20 to themeasuring means 22 disposed within the object 12 and the variousprojectiles 14 a-14 b and 16 a-16 b, and measuring the distances betweenthe target object 12 and the projectiles 14 a-14 b, 16 a-16 b. Eachdevice 18 and 20 also includes a display 32 that visually displays thecalculated distances between the respective objects. Other optionalfunctions that can be performed by the devices 18 and 20 include, butare not limited to, keeping track of or recording: 1) the elapsed timeof the current game; 2) scores from previous games; and 3) the playersparticipating in the previous and current games, among other features.

In operation according to the embodiment of FIG. 1, the game set 10 isutilized to play the game by taking the target object 12 and throwing orotherwise placing the object 12 at a location within the playing field100. Each player/team then takes their respective set of projectiles 14a-14 b, 16 a-16 b, and steps a specified distance away from thespecified target object 12. Each player then takes turns throwing,rolling or otherwise attempting to position the projectiles 14 a-14 b,16 a-16 b as close to the target object 12 as possible. After each ofthe projectiles 14 a-14 b and 16 a-16 b have been thrown towards thetarget object 12, each player/team may then operate the hand-helddevices 18 and 20 to send and receive signals from the respectivedistance measuring means 22 within each projectile 14 a-14 b and 16 a-16b to accurately measure the distances between the respective projectiles14 a-14 b and 16 a-16 b and the target object 12. As the distances arecalculated electronically, the accuracy in the calculated distance isvery high, and the score or points to be awarded based upon the finalpositions of the projectiles 14 a-14 b and 16 a-16 b can be awardedquickly. This allows the players to collect the projectiles 14 a-14 band 16 a-16 b and quickly begin a second round of play, or conclude thegame, as desired.

Each device 18 and 20 may also be utilized electronically keep scorebased on the signals transmitted to the device 18 or 20 from the variousdistance measuring means 22. Also, based on the measurements obtained bythe devices 18 and 20 from the distance measuring means 22, the devices18 and 20 can determine any projectiles 14 a-14 b or 16 a-16 b which areout of bounds with regards to the target object 12, thereby removingthese projectiles automatically from play. Therefore, the distancemeasuring means 22 within each projectile 14 a-14 b and 16 a-16 b, inconjunction with the hand-held devices 18 and 20 allow for variationsand improvements in game play which heretofore have not been availabledue to the ease of measurement and accuracy of measurements obtainedutilizing the game set 10 with the measuring means 22 and the devices 18and 20.

In addition to utilizing means 22 within projectiles 14 a-14 b and 16a-16 b, the means 22 can also be utilized in other types of projectilesor balls for distance measuring purposes and other types of games. Forexample, in the embodiment of the game set 10 illustrated in FIG. 3, themeasuring means 22 are positioned within a target 12, such as aflagstick 34, and the measuring means 22 are located within projectiles14 a-16 b, such as golf balls 36. Thus, in this embodiment, the devices18 and 20 can be utilized to send and receive signals from a number ofmeasuring means 22 disposed within the golf balls 36 to measure thedistances between the golf balls 36 and the flagstick 34.

Additionally, in the embodiment of the game set 10 illustrated in FIG.4, the measuring means 22 is secured within a football 38. During normalfootball gameplay, the measuring means 22 disposed within the football38 can interact with one or more of the devices 18 and 20 to measure thedistance between the measuring means 22 within both the football 38 andother target objects 12 positioned around and beneath a football field102, such as at an end line 104, a side line 106 or a goal line 108, inorder to enable the devices 18 and 20 to determine the exact positioningof the football 38 on the field 102 in the above-described manner forsituations where a player (not shown) carrying the football 38 istackled, when the football 38 or player carrying the football 38 isknocked out of bounds, or when it is unclear due to the positions of theplayers on the field whether the football 38 has crossed the goal line108.

Various alternatives are contemplated as being within the scope of thefollowing claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming thesubject matter regarded as the invention.

1. A game set for use in playing a game, the game set comprising: a) atarget object; b) at least one projectile that can be directed towardsthe target object; and c) a distance measuring system including distancemeasuring means disposed within each projectile and target object. 2.The game set of claim 1 further comprising at least one device capableof receiving signals from the various distance measuring means withineach projectile and target object.
 3. The game set of claim 1 whereinthe game set includes a number of target objects.
 4. The game set ofclaim 3 wherein the number of target objects are adapted to bepositioned within or beneath a playing surface.
 5. The game set of claim1 wherein the target object is a ball.
 6. The game set of claim 1wherein the target object is engagable with a playing surface to projectabove the playing surface.
 7. The game set of claim 1 wherein thedistance measuring means each include a receiver, a transmitter and apower source.
 8. The game set of claim 7 wherein the power source is areplaceable power source.
 9. The game set of claim 7 wherein the powersource is a rechargeable power source.
 10. The game set of claim 1wherein the distance measuring means are fixedly disposed within thetarget object and the at least one projectile.
 11. The game set of claim1 wherein the distance measuring means are removably disposed within thetarget object and the at least one projectile.
 12. The game set of claim2 wherein the device includes: a) a receiver; b) a transmitter; and c) acontrol unit operably connected to the receiver and the transmitter, thecontrol unit configured to process signals received by the control unitfrom the distance measuring means in the target object and the at leastone projectile, and to transmit signals to the distance measuring meansin the target object and the at least one projectile.
 13. The game setof claim 12 wherein the control unit of the device is configured tocalculate the exact distance between the target object and the at leastone projectile.
 14. The game set of claim 13 wherein the control unit ofthe device is configured to compare the relative distances between thetarget object and a number of projectiles to determine the projectilethat is closest to the target object.
 15. The game set of claim 14wherein the device includes a display to visually illustrate the exactdistances of the projectiles from the target object.
 16. The game set ofclaim 15 wherein the control unit of the device is configured to awardpoints based on the exact distances measured by the control unit.
 17. Amethod for playing a game comprising the steps of: a) providing a gameset including a target object, at least one projectile, and a distancemeasuring system including distance measuring means disposed within thetarget object and the at least one projectile; b) throwing the at leastone projectile towards the target object; and c) measuring the distancebetween the at least one projectile and the target object.
 18. Themethod of claim 17 wherein the distance measuring system includes adevice capable of determining the distance between the target object andthe at least one projectile as a result of receiving signals from thedistance measuring means and transmitting signals to the distancemeasuring means, and wherein the step of measuring the distance betweenthe at least one projectile and the target object comprises operatingthe device to calculate the exact distance between the at least oneprojectile and the target object.